Flying-machine.



H; C. GAMMETER.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLIUATION FILED PEB. 11, 1910. Ll ,15a Patented Jan. 2, 1912.

4 SHEBTS-SHEBT l.

H. C. GAMMETER.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILEDTEB. 11, 1910.

Patented Jan. 2, 1912.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 24 H. C.' GAMMHTBR.

l FLYING MACHINE.

'APYLIUATION FILED FEB. 11, 1910.

Patented Jan. 2, 1912.

m3 2mg v 4 SHEETS-SHEET s.

H. G. GAMMETER.

FLYING MACHINE. APPLIUATION FILED FEBA l1, 191.0. Llgkjgn Patented Jan. 2, 1912 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4,

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. UNHED STATES PATENT onirica.

'HARRY c. ommarnnor BMTENAHL. onto.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be-it known that I, HARRY C. GaMam'rnR, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bratenahl, in the countycf Cuyahoga and Stateef Ohio, have invented a certain new x and useful Improvement in Flying-Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being' had to the accompanying drawings.

' 10 The object of this invention'isv to provide an effect-ive and cheap machine for ying.

The machine is adapted to be extremely lightgn construction and the various moving parts may beso arranged and 'connected' that lthe machine may be conveniently drivgnby man power.

One of the features ofthe invention isy arranging' the .mechanism so that the`,op erator may lie substantially.A horizontally head foremost, so as to present the minimum 'resistance -to the air While he may use` the force of both hands 'and both feet for driving .the machine.

Another feature'is the arrangement of mechanism so that the operator, while usingv a backward and .forward movement of his hands in` driving, may use a twisting or Wrist movement in steering.

Another feature is the provision of means for flexing the tips of the wingsf'by vthe movement of the operator-s head.

i My machine is illustrated in the drawings herein and is hereinafter more fully described and its essential characteristics are' y "V rest 1s provided by the rear. end-'26 of a summarized in the claims.

In.the drawings, Figure 1I is a plan of my front of the liue'3-3 of Fig. 4 removed;

Fig. 4 is a. side elevation; Fig. fiis adiagranmiatic view in the nature of a'vertical section parallel with Fig. 8 illustrating the flexing of lthe wing tips; F ig. 6 is a bottom plan of one of the wings; Fig. 7 is a vertical cross section through one of the wings in the fore and aft direction.l illustrating the paraboliccurif'ature of the wing; Fig. 8 is a sectional plan of thedriving and steering handle bar; Fig. 9 isa plan of the rocking cross bar which operates thefwings; Fig. 10 is a cross section of one of the ribs of the wings; Fig. 11 is a cr'oss section of one of the .steel frame bars.

My machine, in the form shown, being adapted to be'driven by the power of the Speiicaton;o1 1.etters iatent.' Applicatinii lcd February 11, 191,0. Serial '-No. 543,291.`

FLYING-MACHINE.

Patented Jau. e, raie'.

operator himself, is designed so as to be very -light in construct-ion, being composed of thin steel strips and tubes, light. wooden strlps, steel U-shaped ribs like umbrella ribs, and light `4fabric. The machine .shown it will be seen, comprises a central frame,'two

upward outer edges of the frame, an elevation rudder at--thc front, a steering rudder for the operator, and driving mechanism I will first describe the central frame As shown, the central frame has a pair of parallel bars 10, preferably of hollow '-1- lar steel construction and located at the upper outer edges of the frame. These bars 10 are connected by a series of light arched bars as 11, 12, 13, 14 and15, preferably .hollow elliptical or flattened steel tubing, as illustrated in Fig. 11. Extending downwardly from the crown bars 11, 19. and 13 are the bars 16, 17 and 18 preferably of the same flattened tubular form and material, and .these depending bars are connected with and carry the rectangular frame 20 which forms theA border for a. suitable plate 21 which supports the operator. The dependdiagonal bar 27, which is connected at 2S to a bar 30 depending lin a U form from the arch bar 15. In front of the point 28, the bar l27 forks and each branch29 thereof connects with one set of` thebar's 16, 17 and further braced on each side by the diagonal rds 31 and 31 extending downward diagonally'from .two points of the. bars 10 to points on the opposite sides of the' frame 20. These diagonah bars 31 and '31. 4join the frame- 20 substantially `where the bars 17 join. These diagonal bars areomitted from Fig. 4 -Tor clearness of illustration, and to prevent, their confusion with the diagonal operating bars there shown. The various crown bars are braced by the fore and laft them preferably over the fabric, as herein- .after described.

The wings are of the construction shown outwardly extending wings hinged to the at the rear, a support `on the centraal frame 18. @he central frame above described' is' -which he mayV actuate when on said support.

strip 33 surmounting them and secured to in Figs. 6 and 7. They comprise the front edge bar 40, preferably of wood, theintermediate parallel bar 41, `connecting curve bar 42, the cross bar 43 all of wood preferably, ,and numerous ribs. As shown,-

waidly. The bars 40 and 41 of the. wingare hinged to the frame bar.10. The wing is shown as braced by four diagonally extending bars lead-ing from points near the 'opposite ends o'f. the two bars 40 and 41 to a common point belowthe inner end of the wing. These four diagonal bars are designated 50, 51, 52 and 53. The ribs of the wings are preferably U-shaped steel construction with the trough facing downwardly, after the manner ofumbre1la`ribs andas illustrated in Fig. 10. Near the tip the forward ed e of the -wingv mayv be trussed by the wire 48 and the strut 49, as shown in Fig. 1.

The fabric of my machine preferably *extends continuously from wing tip to wing tip over the central frame. The ortion over the wings is designated 60 and that over the` central frame 61. Over the cen- I tral frame it extends rearwardly, supported by arch bars 64, 65 which-are. carried `by' 'the fore and aft bar 33, heretofore referred ric ,and Vconnect it with the arch bars to. It is convenient and effective to put the intermediate fabric 61 over the arch bars and put the fore and aft bar over the fab- .through the ,fabric. The fabric over the centra-l 'portion is cut ot diagonally or tapered toa-point adiacent to the rudder, as

shown in Fig. 1. The fabric may be of anylight approved material, as is well under-- To operate the wings effectively by the power of the operator himself, provide the following mechanism. Pivotally nounted in the central frame, as'on a bar,70 secured to the rectangular frame 20, is the oscillating yoke 72. This yoke is of the form shown, in Fig.9.` Tt has two'fore and aft arms 73 which are connected respec` tivelv bv links 76 withthe conjoint lower end 77 of the wing-brace bars 50, 51, 52 and 53 referred to. The connection betweenthe arms 53 and the links 76 is by universal or ball and socket joint, as indicated in Fig.v 9. The lateral arms 79 of the yoke bend downwardly and are connected at their outer ends respectively toa pairof foreaud aft rods 80. These rods are pivotally connected at their rear ends to a cross bar 81, piyoted to the frame at the peint 28, and attheir forwardends to a handle bar 82 pivoted to-the frame at 83; for

example, to a =bracket 84 depending from t-he frame 20. The cross bar 82 is provided with liand grips 85, while the cross bar 81 has toe-clips or pockets 87.

The result of the above described construction is that an operator lying on the support 21 and engaging with his hands and feet thel bars 82 and 81 may oscillate these bars simultaneously by the power of both arms and both legs-pushing, for example, with the right leg and left arm and pulling with the left leg and right arm, or vice versa. This movement, which, it will be seen, may be made with the whole power of the individual, rocks the yoke 72, and, through the links 76, oscillates the wings up andv down. This ability to4 obtain the maximum human power is one of the important features of my machine.'

It will be seen from Fig. 7 that the wings "of my machine have Ia parabolic curve meas. ured 'fore and aft, the focus of the parabola being at the front. By this construction the direction of the upward force exerted l by the downward movement of the wings against the air resistance isl not Utain the machine, while a portion is avail- 'able to propel it forwardly.

90, in Figs. 1 and 4, designates an elevation rudder, which, in the embodiment, is mounted at the front of the machine between forward extensions of the frame'bars 10, these bars being braced near their forward end by a cross bar 91 and also'braced by thewires 96.leadin to the forward end of the bar 33, and wies 97 leading to the bracket 84..;The rudder has a substantially rectangula"frame 92, a cross bar 93,-` by which it is journaled, and a fabric covering' .94. Extending upwardly and downwardly from the cross' bar ,93 is a bar 95 which is suitably braced-to the rim 92, by .the wires 98, for example, as shown in Fig.'4. Connected to vthe ends of the bar are wires 100v and 101'by which the rudder may be operated, as hereinafter explained.'

"The rudder for lateral steering is designated 102. It is mounted on a vertical rod 103 journaled in a rearward extension of the v,trop bar 33 and in a lower bar 105 which is secured -to the frame at 28. These two bars are braced by a suitable vertical cross bar 106. The rudder 102 is provided, not only with the vertical rectangular frame 107 and the vertical fabric 108, but has also an approximately jho'rizontal steadying portion comprising the frame; 109 and the fabric 110. @This rudder is operatedby wires 112 and 113 connected'toa cross member which leads from the pivot shaft 103 to the horizontal border 109 as indicated by 111.

T(- pull on the respective wires, to operate either rudder as desired by the hands of the operator without interfering with his movement of the handle bar, I provide the following mechanism. As heretofore stated, there are hand grips 85 on the handle bar. These grips, however, are not tight on the bar but are mounted on sleeves 120 and 121 fon the bar, these sleeves carrying respectively pulleys 122, 123 near their inner ends, which are adjacent to a bracket 124, which is`pivoted to the frame bracket 83 referred to. The handle bar is shown as braced by a truss rod126 bearing intermediately on the bracket 124 and connected at its ends to strips .127 mounted on the rod. The twowires 100. and 101 from the elevation rudder pass over a guide sheave or eye 130 (carried on the cross bar 131` of the central frame) downwardly and wrap from opposite directions around the sheave 123. Similarly the wires 112 and 113 from the steen ing rudder pass through an eye 134 and thence downwardly over a pulley or eye 135 V ycarried by the-bar 131 and wrapfrombpposite sides around the sheave 122.

From the above construction it will be apparent that, when the operator is in position, -the movement of his hands and legs' will operate the wings vas heretofore descrit ed, while by twisting the hand grip 86 by his left hand the elevation rudder is tipped rup ordown and by` twisting the hand grip 85 with his right hand the steering rudder is turned to the right or left. These twisting movements in no manner interfere with the A oscillations of the handle bar, nor do these inline with the center of oscillation andthe oscillations give-any movement to the rudders', as thefwires come down substantially slight movement of the sheaves by the rocking of the bar is immaterial. .j- For the most satisfactory manipulatio of the machine it is desirable to be able 'to Hex the tips of the win and this I provideV moving his head to the one side or the other,

may flex 'the wings as desired, one tip being bent down whenever the other tip is bent up.

'This is illustrated particularly in Fig. '5'. The' wing tipsfare provided with'up and down bars 143 suitably braced by wires 144,

andy from the upper. ends of these bars lead wires-145 and 146, connected to the yoke lever-140 above andbelowits pivot. As

shown, the wires 145,1'rom the. upper end of the bars 143 are connected below the pivot,

randfthe wires 144 are connected above the pivot.-- Whennthe operator throws his head to his right, for example, (as he is supposed to have done in Fig. 5) the right wing tip 148 is flexed downwardly, while the left wing tip 149 is flexed upwardy. The movement of the head to the left would cause the reverse movement. In operation, when the machine tends to tip downwardly on either side, the operator almost involuntarily throws his head to the opposite side which tips up the lower wing point (making an elevating plane thereof) and tips down' the upper wing so that the new position of these points tends to make the machine right itself.

It will be seen from the description lgiven that my machine, while allowing the operatorto use his full force for propelling the machine, enables him, without removing his hands or feet vfrom the propelling mechanism, to` give all 'the movements necessary to steer the machine, and control its elevation and its balancing.. The operator is so positioned that he presents the minimum of air resistance -andv is furthermore in convenient position for observation of what is below hlm and in front of him. The machine is very light in construction, so that the'major portion of the operators work 1s in liftin and propelling his own weight. The macine may also be very cheaply constructed, which isl a decided point in its favor;

Having thus described my invention, what 1. ln a flying machine, 'the combination with a central frame, a pair of wings hinged thereto, a support for the operator carried by the frame, a pair opivoted driving bars 'carried byl the frame in front 'of and behind -frame, a pair of pivoted driving` bars respectively locatedin `front of and behind the support and adapted to be engaged by the operators hands and feet, a rocking member operated by said bars, braceA bars depending from'thewings, and links connecting said brace bars with the said rocking member. v

3. ln a [lying machine, the combination with the wings, of driving mechanism there-` for, comprising a lpair of pivoted members connected with the wings and having on opposite Asides of their pivots hand holds and foot holds, where-bj: the operator may exert simultaneously the power ot both arms and both legs.

4911i a dying machine, Athe combination from the wings, and movable mechanism wings mounted on the central frame and both feet and both lhands ofthe operator.'

comprising connected levers mounted on substantially vertical pivots and adapted to be engaged and operated,simultaneously by In-a flying machine, the combination with the supporting parts, of asupport lfor the operators chest, and driving mechanism in front ofi and behind said support-and comprising pivoted levers adapted to be engaged by the operators hands and feet.

6. In a flying machine, the combination with movable wings, cfa support adapted to carry the operator on his chest, and driving mechanism for the wings comprising connected levers adapted to be engaged respectively by hands and feetof the operator4 when in such position on such support.

7. In a flying machine, the, combination with a central frame, wmgs hinged thereto,

a support for the voperator carried by the frame, a pivoted bar mounted adjacent to said support, another ivoted bara-t the rear of said support, said ars swingingon substantially vertical intermediate pivots and being adapted to be engaged on opposite sides of their pivots by the operators hands and feet, and connecting mechanismb etween said bars and the Wings.

' with means for supporting the operator in4 8. In a flying machine',.the combination a substantially horizontal position, and driving mechanism comprising connected intermediately-pivoted levers' adapted to-be engaged and 'moved by both of the operators hands and both legs simultaneously when on said support. l

9.v In a flying machine, the combination with a frame'La support forthe operator carried thereby, "a movable bar located below saidv support -and, adapted to be en- '-gaged by the operators' hands, and a jmovable. bar' at the Arear'ofl the support adapted 'to-be engaged by the. operators feet, and

movable parts .driven by the 4movement of both of said bars' simultaneously. f-

v10. In a flying machine, the combination of a central frame, wings hinged to the Appposite edges thereof, members dependingl from the wings, a' substantially horizontal support for the operator, rocking mechanism beneath said support, connections-'be-v tween the same and the members depending adapted to be engaged by the hands and feet of the operator when on said support to and down pivot,'a second rocking bar piv otally mounted at' ,the `rear of the support,

and flying mechanismpperated by the conjoint movement of both of said bars.

12. In a flying machine, the combination with a support, a handle bar intermediately pivoted near the forward end of the support,a foot bar intermediatelypivoted at the rear of the support, Wings, and connections between the same and both 'of said bars. 13. In a flying machine, the combination of a driving mechanism including a pivoted hand bar having an independently movable hand grip, and guiding mechanism controlled by such independent movement.

111. In a,flying machine, the combination of driving mechanism including a pivoted handle bar having .two independently mov'- able grips, an elevation'rudder and a steering rudder, and connections between the rudders and the grips respectively.

15. In a flying machine,lthe combination of a pivoted hand-operated driving bar, a hand grip thereon adapted to turn'A about the axis of the bar, guiding mechanism, and' with a hand-operated pivoted driving bar, a hand grip mounted to turn thereon, guiding mechanism, and a connection between the guiding mechanism and the handgrip connectingwith the hand' bar adjacent to4 its pivot. s

I.17. In a flying machine, the combination of a pivoted hand-operateddriving bar, a pair -of hand grips thereon for moving the bar, sleeves leading inwardly from the hand grips to points adjacent to the pivot, an elevation rudder anda steering rudder, and connections between'said rudders and said `sleeves respectively.

18. In-a flying machine, the combination of a support for the operator, a hand driving barcentrally pivoted adjacent to the front end of the support, driving =mecha' nism operated by the movement of said bar .about its pivot, hand grips 4on said bar adapted tobe independently moved thereon, and directing mechanism operated by said hand grips.

19. In a flying machine, the combination with the wings, driving mechanism therefor includingapivotally mounted handV bar, hand grips on said bar, and directing meenanism controlled by the independent' movement of said grips.

20. The combination with a central frame a pair of wings -hinged thereto, driving mechanism -for the wings including a handoperatedpivoted bar, a pair of hand grips on the bar, a pair of rudders, and connections between the rudders and the g'rips respectively, wherebyA the movement of the bar about its pivot maygoperate the wings, and the movement of the grips on thebar may operate the rudders respectively.

ible portions, mechanism adapted' to be enl gaged by the operators head, and connecting mechanism between the same' and said flexible portions, whereby the operator, by movin@r his head, may cause the flexure.

In a flying machine, the combination with hand-operated driving mechanism, of

mechanism actuated by the movement ot" the. operators head for flexing a portion ot` l the, supportingr member.

23. In a flying luaehme, the combination with a support for the operator, ot' a pivl5 oted member adapted t0 be engaged b v the operator head and moved in either direction, supportingr surfaces adapted to be. flexed, and connections between such' pivot ed member and portions ot' the supporting 2O surface.

24. lna flying machine. the eoml'iination with a central trame. wings hinged thereto and having tlexlbletlps, cords` or wires4 for operati-n(1r the same, and movable mechanism carried by thcreentral frame and adapted to be engaged by the operators head for pulling on said cords or Wires;

In a flying machine, the. combination with a central frame, wings hinged thereto, a supp-ort for the operator carried bysaid trame, hand-operated driving mechanism adjacent to said support, and mechanism for flexing-the tips ol the wings adapted to be on the support. Y

i Qt. In a flying machine, the combination i ot' a Acentral trame, a support for the operator. a oke adapted to extend on opposite sides ot the olnratorshead, said yoke bein;r pivotally mounted in the frame, VWings connected to the trame, and mechanism for said yoke. f ln testimony whereof, I hereunto atlix my l signature in the presence of two witnesses..

4HARRY C. GAMNETER.

lVitness# i A Anwar H. BATES, y Bnnxxax B. lvl-1ST.

operated b v the head of the operator when,v

flexingr the'tipaot' the wings connected with 

